Cigar-bunching machine.



No. 805,177. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. J. S. WINGET. CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

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4 BHEETS BHEET 1.

M mi, l 2 l- '7 W F m w A I ll PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

J. S. WINGET. CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. 1903' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a bwmwo No. 805,177. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. J. S. WINGET. CIGAR BUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. 1903- 4 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

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N0. 805,177. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

J. S. WINGBT.

CIGAR BUNOHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED P111128, 1903.

4 SHEETSBHEET 4.

JASPER STANLEY WINGET, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIGAR-BUNCHING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed February 28, 1903. Serial No. 145,583.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ASPER STANLEY WIN- GET, acitizen of the United States, residing at York, in the county ofYork and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Bunching Machines; andldo declare the following to beafull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Myinvention relates toimprovements in cigar-bunching machines; and the object is to improve and simplify the art by providing a machine of the kind named and for the purposes intended which is simple in construction, certain, efficient, and accurate in attaining the purposes, and which is continuous in the mode of operation from the hopper to the ejection or discharge of the product with the fillers rolled and enveloped, with the binders ready for the application of the wrappers.

The improvements embody a feed-hopper, agitators of particular construction and action located within the hopper, feed -slides to feed the fillers t0 the forming and rolling apron, a forming and rolling apron, and novel mechanism for successively and consecutively producing the sequential steps in the formation of the desired product, as will hereinafter. be fully specified and the novelty claimed be particularly and distinctly pointed out.

I have fully and clearly illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of this specification, and wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete machine set up in operative position. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken centrally through the machine. Fig.3 is a plan view, partly in section, the feed-slide and frame being removed, and showing the clutch mechanism, the crank, cross-bars, and the apron. Fig. A is a plan view of the hopper, showing the vertically-movable agitator and the horizontally-rotatory agitator located at the lower end of the hopper. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the feed-slides. Fig. 6 is a transverse section 'of the reversible bedplate, having its opposite surfaces made to conform to the desired shape of the cigar. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the feed-chute leading to the apron, showing the adjustable end plates for regulating the length of the discharge-opening. tive view of the rotatory shaft and the vertically reciprocating agitators, showing the connection of the latter to the shaft of the former. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the supporting-floor on which the feed-slide frame is supported and reciprocates. Fig. 10is a bottom plan view of the slidable frame, to which the feed-slides are adjustably secured. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the center or main slide. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the slides which is used in association with the central slide. Fig. 13 is a detail view of the yoke constituting the pocket former. Fig. 14 is a detail view of the connection between the trammel-arm, the forming-carriage, and the frame which carries the slides. Fig. 15 is a detail plan view of the frame secured on the supports and on which is mounted the reversible bed-plate and showing the rods on which the carriage slides. Fig. 16 is a detail front view of the spring clamping-catch at the front of the machine, to which the completed product is delivered and held preparatory to removal and placement on the receiving-shelf or in a mold.

Fig. 8 is a detail .perspec- In the drawings like reference-notations denote similar elements and parts appearing in the several illustrations.

Reference being had to the drawings, it will be seen that a suitable supporting-frame is provided, upon which is mounted and carried the requisite mechanism for actuating the means for operating in sequential order the associated parts and elements. This supporting-frame, as illustrated in the drawings, is made up of side supports 1 2, comprising end pieces or bars having upper and lower crosspieces and integral top rails or bars 3, disposed horizontally. The side supports at a proper point are formed with rearward extensions 4, formed with bearings, over which are secured suitable bearing-caps, in a wellknown manner. A strengthening-frame 5 is secured between the supports and braces and holds them in relative vertical relation, and adjacent to the feet of the side supports are cross-rods 6 to brace them at these points.

At the front at the upper ends the side supports are formed with circular disks 7, between which is secured a receptacle 8, wherein loose pieces of stock are discharged. The shell or body of the receptacle 8 is formed with a rearwardly-extending inclined plate 8, upon which scraps or other particles of escaping tobacco fall and slide down into the receptacle during the progress of forming the product.

On the upper ends of the side supports is arranged and secured in horizontal position a frame composed of parallel side plates 9 10, having integral therewith at their front portion a rectangular frame 11, the side pieces of which have flanges 12, whereon is disposed the reversible bed-plate 13 of the forming mechanism. This reversible bed-plate 13, in conjunction with the launching-rollers hereinafter to be described, is designed to present for action on the forming-apron such superficial contour transversely as may conform to the shape of the product desired to be made. When the coacting elements are parallel, a straight body is produced, and when both of the elements are concaved a body tapered from a point in both directions toward the ends is the result, and when these elements are inclined transversely a body is made tapered throughout its length, and generally the elements are shaped in reverse of the form to be produced, except when the product is straight-rolled, when, as stated, the face of the plate and coacting roller are in parallel relation. By making the bed-plate reversible it may be given on its opposite working faces different contours and the same plate thus be utilized to produce differently-shaped products, as desired. For instance, if it is desired to make a cigar perfecto shaped, abedplate havinga concave surface is employed in conjunction with a concave roller, and when it is desired to make the product only slightly tapered from its center to its ends a concave bed-plate and a straight roller are employed. In order that the bed-plate may adapt itself to the work, it is supported on suitable adjusting-screws 13, fitted in the frame.

At the ends of each side plate 9 10, adjacent to the inner edges thereof, are formed vertical cars 14 15, having apertures wherein are secured the ends of the carriage-bars 16, on which the carriage of the forming mechanism is mounted and reciprocates, as will be hereinafter more fully specified.

At the outer edge of the side plate 10 is formed a laterally-extending lug 17, having a vertical aperture wherein is adjustably placed the vertical arm 18 of a support formed with a horizontal arm 19, which is adjustably disposed through an aperture in adepending ear or lug 20, on the under side of a bar 21, of such length as may be desired, and which are formed with cross-bars 22 23, formed at their one end with vertical lugs 24 and at their other ends are longitudinally slotted, as at 25, the bars of the slotted portions being notched or serrated, as shown in Fig. 1.

26 designates clamping-pieces formed with depending threaded stems slidingly arranged in the slots 25, the under faces of the clamps being formed with transverse ridges to engage with the coincident ridges or serrations of the cross-bars. 'The clamping-pieces are clamped in any desired location by thumbnuts 27, fitted on their threaded stems. At one end of this frame or bar is formed a keeper-lug 28, having its upper end turned inward, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, under which the end of the cigar-shelf 29 is held. Set-screws let through the ears or lugs 17 20 hold the respective parts engaged in the position required.

To the side plate 9 is hinged the leaf-table 30, (shown in Fig. 3,) which may be of any suitable size and capacity to receive and hold the desired. quantity of leaf-tobacco from which the binders are made. The leaf-table is supported in horizontal position by means of a I brace-arm 31, having its upper end pivotally secured to the table and adapted to have its free lower end set against a point on the side support.

In the bearings in the extensions f is journaled a shaft 32, constituting the drivingshaft, and on the end of which is mounted a sprocket-wheel 33.

On a frame'support,secured to the rearward portions of the side plates 9 10, is mounted and secured the hopper. This frame-support also carries the principal elements and parts of the filler-forming mechanism and will be fully and in detail described hereinafter. The hopper consists of a bottom plate 34, formed with a vertically-extending cylinder 35, constituting the lower section or part of the hopper. Into the upper end of this cylinder is fitted and firmly secured the lower end of the hopper 36, consistingof a metallic shell, tapered from the top to the lower end, which, as stated, is fitted to be secured in the cylinder 35. Diametrically across the cylinder 35, about midway of the height thereof, is journaled a shaft 37, reaching across the cylinder and extending at one end therefrom, as shown, to a point in alinement with the sprocket-wheel 33, and on the end of the extension is fixed a small sprocket-wheel 38, connected to the sprocketwheel 33 by a chain 39. On the shaft 37 within the cylinder are secured a suitable number of stirring blades or arms 40, whereby when the shaft is rotated the contents of the hopper are stirred and agitated so as to not pack and clog in their course to the slide-receptacle. In the middle of that part of the shaft 37 which extends across the cylinder is formed a crank 41, which is loosely and pivotally engaged by apitmanhead 42, fixed on the end of a vertically-reciprocating pitman or bar 43, having its upper end slidingly passed through an aperture in a cross-bar a l, secured diametrically across the upper end of the hopper. In the vertical bar 43 at determined points in elevation are fixed radially-extending bars or blades 45,arranged relatively on different radii and constituting agitating means for the contents of the hopper. It will be perceived that when 1 the shaft 37 is rotated the stirrers carried by it keep the lower portion of the contents of the hopper in constant and thorough agitation and free to pass through the discharge-opening in the bottom of the hopper. At the same time the shaft 37 gives to the vertical bar 43, with its blades, a vertical and vibratory motion, whereby all of the contents above the rotary stirrers are kept loose and free to descend. The extending part of the shaft 37 is braced by a suitable bracket 46, secured to the frame-support and having the shaft passed through its upper end. The bottom 47 of the hopper consists of a suitable metallicdisk having inclined sides 48 49, down which the tobacco .finds its way into and through a rectangular feed-opening 50. This discharge-opening lies over the receptacle formed by the adjustment of the respective regulating-slides immediately beneath the bottom. The frame on which the hopper is mounted and secured is made up of side supports 51 52, duplicates in construction and having their feet secured to the plates 9 10, substantially as shown. At the top the supports are formed with parallel horizontal plates 53, extending inward and having plane inner faces or walls of such height as will accommodate the adjustable measuring and ejecting slides hereinafter described. The plates 53 are connected rigidly at their lower inner edges by a floor-plate 54, extending toward the front end of the plates to a point in alinement with the rear wall of the chute, and at its rear end is extended a distance, as shown, to provide support for the slidable frame, and toward its rear end portion is formed with a longitudinal slot 55 to aflord space for the movement of the slide connection of the slidable frame, (marked collectively 56.) This slidable frame 56 consists of a rectangular floor 57, extending approximately over threequarters of the frame and formed with downwardly-directed end and side flanges 58, the side flanges being extended forward, as at 59, the ends being connected by a cross-plate 60, which serves as the front wall of the sliding receptacle.

61 designates the chute through which the charge for the filler is discharged onto the binder laid on the forming-apron. This chute consists of a vertical casing having parallel vertical end pieces, a vertical front plate, and a back plate inclined forwardly from top toward its lower end, from where it may extend vertically downward, as shown. To the inner faces of the vertical end pieces of the chute are pivotally-hung plates 62,which hang normally vertical, but may be swung inwardly by means of adjusting-screws 63, let through the end pieces of the chute, and thus made to correspondingly adjust the length ofthe discharge-opening of the chute and in this manner regulate the length ofv the filler for the product. Within the chute below its mouth is pivotally mounted a rectangular plate 64:, which when in horizontal position closes the chute to prevent the charge of tobacco from escaping from the receptacle until the sliding frame has moved over the chute and opened the closure, when the charge will fall in bulk and be evenly distributed in the'pocket made in the apron. To turn the plate to open position, arms 65 are formed on the plate near its ends, which arms stand normally in vertical position in the path of the cross-plate 60 of the sliding frame 56. The plate 64 after having been turned to open the chute is returned to horizontal position by means of retractile springs 66, having one end fastened to radial lugs or arms 67, extending from the pivot-bar of the plate and their other ends fastened at fixed points in the frame.

On the slidable frame 56 are adjustably arranged and secured regulating-slides, (shown in detail in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings and a particular arrangement of them seen in Fig. 5,) and referring to these illustrations 68 designates the main and central slide and regulating plate, consisting of a metal plate of such width and length as will suit it to the purposes intended and formed at its front end portion with a depending flange 69, reaching across its end and extending rearward along its sides a proper distance, substantially as shown. In the rear portion of the plate is formed a longitudinally arranged slot 70, through which a clamping-screw 71 passes, with its stem engaging in a screw-hole in the floor 57 of the slidable frame, the head of the screw straddling the slot and clamping down the face of the slide to hold it in the position to which it may be set.

72 designates the auxiliary slides, which are arranged on opposite sides of the main and central and regulating slide 68. These slides 72 are duplicates in reverse, being formed with a depending flange 73, which reaches across the end of the slide and extends along the inner edge the requisite distance, substantially as shown. In the plates or stems of these auxiliary slides are formed slots 74, through which are passed clamping-screws 75,

IIO

the stems of which engage in screw-holes made in the floor 57.

It will be perceived that a rectangular receptacle 76 is formed between the end plate of the slidable frame, the extended portions of the side slides, and the end of. the central main slide, into which the tobacco is deposited from the hopper, which receptacle. may be changed in capacity by changing the position of the main slide. Should it be desired to make the cigar a long or large one, the side slides may be drawn back until their ends aline with the end of the main slide.

On the driving-shaft 32 is fixedly mounted, so as to be rotated therewith, one member 77 of a clutch, having teeth 78 on its engaging face and formed or provided with a crank with a wrist-pin 80, for the purpose herein after specified. On the shaft 32 is loosely mounted the hub 81 of the driving-pulley 82, the hub constituting the movable member of the clutch, and for that purpose being formed with teeth 83 on its inner face to engage with the teeth 7 8 of the clutch member 77. The faces of the clutch. members are recessed, and on the shaft between them is placed an expanding spring 84, which when the clutchactuating means is released at once moves the hub of the pulley outward and disengages the clutch. The clutch of the pulley is thrown into engagement with the other member of the clutch by means of a slotted clutch-bar 89, loosely mounted on the shaft and formed with inclined or cam surfaces 91, which engage when the clutch-bar is pulled forward with-oppositely-disposed lugs 86, projecting from acollar 85, loosely mounted on the shaft. A collar 88 is also loosely mounted on the driving-shaft. It will be seen that when the clutchbar is moved so that the inclined surface engages with the lugs 86 the collar 85 will be moved on the shaft to throw the pulleyclutch into engagement to operate the associated mechanism. The clutch-bar is pivotally connected at its outer end to a treadle lever or bar 92, pivotally secured at 93 to the side support. The upper end of the treadlebar is extended upward beyond the pivotal connection of the clutch-bar, and to the upper end of the extension is secured one end of a contractile spring 94, the other end of which is secured to some convenient fixed point of the main supports of frame.

The driving-pulley may have connection by a belt to any proper source of power.

Centrally on the driving-shaft 32 is mounted a block 95, having grooved upper and lower edges to engage with the bearing edges of the horizontal slots in the trammel, as seen in the drawings. This block is held against lateral displacement on the driving-shaft by means of a collar 96, which holds the block against the end face of the hub of the clutch member 77, the collar being held in set position on the shaft by a set-screw, as shown.

97 designates a trammel, the slots of which are disposed at right angles to each other and intersect and open into each other at the middle, as shown, one slot being vertical and the other in horizontal direction, the latter being on a plane in parallel alinement with the line of motion of theslidable frame 56 and the reciprocating carriage of the forming mechanism. The trammel reciprocates horizontally on the bearing-block 95, which is arranged in the horizontal slot of the trammel. In the vertical slot of the trammel is slidingly disposed a bearing-block 98, through which the wrist-pin 80 is pivotally projected and secured by any suitable means. It will now be perceived that when the driving mechanism is rotated the crank-arm 7 9 is carried in revolution, thereby causing the sliding bearinga fixed point in the floor of the frame.

block 98 to travel in the vertical slot of the trammel and reciprocating the trammel horizontally on the bearing-block 95.

Projecting forward from the trammel and rigid therewith is an arm 99, ranged on a plane parallel with the horizontal axis of the trammel and having its inner end centrally and loosely mounted on a cross-bar or hearing 100, having its ends secured in vertical standards 101, rising from the cross bar or plate 102 of the carriage. This cross-bar 102 of the carriage has its ends turned down vertically, forming supports formed at their lower ends with sleeves 103, which are slidingly mounted on the carriage-bars 16.

104 designates a shaft having its ends mounted in the side supports 51 52 and secured against endwise movement by any suitable means, as by screws or plugs 105, let through the metal of the supports, with their ends engaging in annular groovesin the journals of the shaft. At the middle of the shaft 104 is mounted a sleeve or hub 106, held rigid to the shaft by a setscrew 107. Integral with the sleeve 106 is an upwardly-extending arm 108, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the forward end of aconnectingrod 109, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a depending lug 110 on the bottom of the plate 57 of the sliding frame and reaching down through the slot 55 in the floor-plate 54:. Depending rigidly from the sleeve 106 are two forked arms 111, which loosely straddle the cross-bar 100. The front limbs 112 of the forks are made shorter than the limbs 113, in order that when the trammel-bar has moved forward the distance suflicient to draw back the sliding frame, with the regulatingslides, to a position to bring the tobacco-1e ceptacle directly under the discharge-opening of the hopper to receive its charge of tobacco the cross-bar 100 will escape from its engagement with the forks, and the trammel-bar will be left free to continueits forward movement to actuate the carriage of the forming mechanism, and thus leave the sliding frame standing idle at the limit of its rearward movement, in which position it is held by a contractile spring .9, having one end connected to one end of the rod 109 and the other end fastened to This spring also aids in returning the slide-frame to its rearward and normal position. The rear limbs 113 of the forks are longer than the limbs 112 and are formed on their inner extended edge faces with inclined portions 11 1 for the following purposes: \Vhen the trammel-bar has been moved forward to its limit and the return movement commences, the cross-bar 100 will in the course of the movement pass under the forklimbs 112 and contact against the fork limbs 113 and rock the fork' and arm 108, the movement eventuating in moving the slide-frame, with the slides, forward until the chamber of the receptacle is brought directly over the mouth of the chute, and the tobacco charge falls down uponthe binder on the apron.

Thecarriage is formed or provided with horizontal arms 116, extending frontward parallel with each other and terminating, preferably, in rounded ends, as shown, and in their outer end portions provided with alining bearings 117 118. In the bearings 117 118 are journaled rollers 119 120, which serve to make the necessary loop in the apron for rolling and forming the body composed of the fillers and the binder. larger diameter than the. front roller 120 in order that the folds of the loop may be pressed together by the larger roller as it passes over the bed-plate and kept from sliding movement and then so that the upper fold of the loop will be relieved from pressure and contact with the apron after release and escape from the rear roller by looping up over the smaller front roller, which does not bear on the bedplate, and thus the apron is saved from abrasion and from buckling in front of the rear roller. The rear roller 119 constitutes the forming-roller and is made of any desired contour lengthwise conforming in reverse to the shape of the body to be formed.

Pivotally connected to the arms 115 116 are duplicate arms 121, which lie on the upper edge of the carriage-arms and are held against outward displacement by flanges on their inner edges which lie against the inner faces of the carriage-arms. The ends of thearms 112 are turned downward .over the rounded ends of the carriage-arms and are formed with apertures in their ends, wherein are journaled the ends of a bar or shaft 123, on which is mounted an elastic or yielding roller 124, which serves for binding and stretching the binder-leaf around the tiller while in the course of formation.

A designates the apron, composed of a suitable textile material made strong enough to stand the strains and work to which it is subjected. The front end of the apron is strongly secured in place by being arranged between the end of the main frame and a clampingplate 125, screws being used to effect the clamp, substantially as shown. The rear end of the apron is suitably secured to a rotatable bar 126, journaled in the upper bars of the lower or main supporting-frame and slidable lengthwise to a limited extent in its bearings. On one end of the bar 126 is a clutch-piece 127, the inner end face of which is formed with notches 128, which engage over a lug 129 on the frame to hold the bar against rotation. A knob or hand-piece 130 on the bar is provided, between the hub of which and the face of the frame is arranged an expansive spring 131, whereby the clutch is held in engagement with the lug. This bar and its adjuncts serve to make adjustment of the tension to the apron.

The rear roller 119 is made of.

The clamping-plate 125 is formed with aliningears 132, wherein are fixedly mounted and secured the ends of a bar 133, whereon is pivotally mounted the spring-actuated catch to which the product of the machine is delivered. This catch consists of a plate 134, having sleeves at its lower edge, which sleeves are loosely-mounted on the bar 123. The upper end of the plate 134 is cut out to form vertical arms 136, connected by a cross-bar, as shown. On the bar 133 is a torsionally-acting spring 137, having one end fixed to the bar and the other end arranged to press inward on the plate. This catch serves to receive and hold the product of the machine as it is released from the apron. This is accomplished by extending the cross-bar of the arms 136 into the path of the roller 124, which, just before its limit of'movement, pushes the arms outward far enough to allow the product to drop behind them, where it is held until the operator removes it. The tension and capacity of the spring-catch is regulated by means of an adjusting-screw 134", let through the plate of the catch and bearing with its end against the face of the clamping-plate.

When the carriage is drawn back prelimi nary to receiving a charge of fillers from the chute, it is necessary to form a pocket depression in the apron to receive the charge. This I accomplish by the following described mechanism: A rectangular yoke or frame 138 is provided, the arms of which are pivotally secured to the rear legs of the side supports 51 52 and the ends of the arms being formed with downwardly-extending shoes 139. On the arms are pivotally hung hangers or arms 140, secured to the inner faces of the yoke arms and adjacent to and in the path of said shoes and also in the path of laterally-projecting lugs 141 on the supports of the carriage. The hangers 140 are made adjustable by means of adjusting-screws 139, let through the shoes 139, with their inner ends bearing against the rear face of the hangers. The depth of the filler-pocket in the apron is regulated by the position to which these hangers are limited, since the screws limit the movement of thesweep of the yoke. The main bar of the yoke is formed or provided at its middle with a downwardly-projecting tonguepiece 142, which when the yoke is turned down contacts with and bears upon the apron and in the downward movement forms the filler-pocket in the apron in front of the rollers. When the carriage is moved forward, so as to separate the lugs 141 and the hangers 140, the yoke is lifted and returned to its usual position by retractile springs 143, having one end secured to the yoke and the other end fastened to a convenient point in the floor of the frame, substantially as shown in the drawings.

The several parts, elements, and their associated mechanisms have been fully and particularly described and their functions and mode of operation specified; but in order that the complete process of the machine from initial progression to the finish of the product may be fully stated the following is a summary of the successive steps and actions arising in the operation. Preliminary to the starting the machine the apron is adjusted to suit the size of the bound filler to be produced, the slides are adjusted to make lillerreceptacle of the desired capacity, and the hopper is then supplied with the desired quantity of filler-stock. The machine may then be manipulated to bring the carriage to the forward limit, in which position the sliding frame with the filler-receptacle is directly under the discharge-opening in the hopper with a charge of fillers deposited therein and the forming-rollers in the position as having discharged a made liller with binder rolled thereon and the pocket-forming yoke raised and held at its upper position out of the path of the carriage. Now when rotation is imparted to the driving-pulley the carriage immediately commences its rearward movement, which is continued to the rearward limit. When the cross-bar on the carriage which carries the end of the trammel-bar engages the forks connected to the sliding frame, that element begins to move forward with its charge of fillers deposited in the filler-receptacle and is brought over the mouth of the chute; but just before the sliding frame reaches its forward limit of movement and the pivotally-supported closing-plate is dumped to permit the fillers to pass through the chute into the apron the pivotal hangers on the pocket-forming yoke engage the lateral lugs on the carriage and swing the yoke, with its tongue, down into contact with the apron in advance of the forming-rollers and makes a filler-pocket, into which the chute discharges the charge of filler-stock. The operator now places the end of the binder-leaf well down in the filler-pocket, and the forming-roller as it comes forward compresses the filler charge, and as the filler is rolled over the bed-plate and binder-leaf the latter will be rolled around the filler as the bunch is being formed. During this forward movement the presser-roller 12 k bears with sufficient pressure to keep the binder stretched so it be applied smoothly around the bunch. Immediately with the forward movement of the carriage the hangers 0f the yoke are released and the springs swing the yoke to its upper position. The fillerpocket extends a distance below the formingrollers, so that as the carriage is moved forward the rear fold or line of the filler-pocket is carried over by the rollers on to the front line, thus making a loop which envelops the binder with the fillers, and by the particular rolling function given to the folds the loop during the progression of the carriage with the rollers the product is formed and carried until the rollers reach the forward limit, where the loop in the apron is opened and the product drops into the spring-catch. The bunch is then transferred by hand and deposited on the shelf 29. During the forward movement just stated the cross-bar on the carriage engaged with the forks and by their connections to the sliding frame that element was carried back with the filler-receptacle under the hopper to receive the charge therefrom.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a cigar-bunching machine, a hopper, a shaft journaled across the lower end of the hopper, stirrers fixed on the shaft, and a vertically-reciprocating stirrer in the hopper actuated by the shaft across the hopper.

2. In a cigar-bunching machine, a hopper consisting of a plate formed with a vertical cylindrical portion, and a tapering upper portion secured in the cylindrical portion, a horizontal shaft journaled across the said cylinder and formed with a crank at its middle, a vertically-reciprocable bar having its lower end pivotally connected to the crank, and radial stirrer-arms on the said bar.

3. In a cigar-bunching machine, a hopper consisting of a base-plate formed with a vertical cylindrical portion, and a tapering upper portion secured in the cylinder, a hopper-bottom secured on the machine independently of the hopper and having a discharge-opening, a horizontal shaft journaled across the said cylinder and formed with a crank at its middle, a vertically-reciprocating bar having its lower end pivotally mounted on said crank, and radially-arranged stirrer-arms on the said bar.

t. In a machine for bunching cigars, the combination with the hopper mounted on a stationary frame, of a slidable frame under the hopper having a receptacle therein adapted to move under the hopper and receive a charge therefrom, a chute into which the receptacle discharges at the end of its forward movement, a spring-held closure in the chute formed with an arm in the path of the slidable frame, adjustable plates hung to the end walls of the chute, and means to adjustably swing the plates inward on their supports.

5. The combination with the carriage and the bunching-aproh, of a pivotally-supported yoke mounted over the apron and formed with a depending tongue to engage and depress the apron, pivotally-hung adjustable hangers on the ends of the arms of the yoke to determine the depth of the pocket in the apron, and means on the carriage to engage the hangers and to actuate the yoke.

6. The combination with the driving-shaft, of a horizontally-reciprocable trammel mounted on the shaft and formed with a forward projecting horizontal bar, a carriage recipro cated by the trammel, a bunching-apron, form- ITO ing-rollers journaled in the carriage, and a presser-roller to bear upon the apron in advance of the forming-rollers.

7 The combination with the driving-shaft, of a horizontally-reciprocable trammel mounted on the shaft and formed with a forwardlyextending horizontal bar, a carriage connected to the end of the bar, a bunching-apron, a forming-roller journaled in the carriage, a second roller in advance of and smaller in di ameter than the rear forming-roller, and a presser-roller to bear upon the apron in advance of the forming-rollers.

8. The combination With the driving-shaft, of a clutch member fixed on the shaft and formed with a radial arm, a driving-pulley loosely mounted on the driving-shaft andhaving a clutch member to engage the fixed clutch member, a right-angle trammel having its horizontal way slidably mounted on the shaft, and its vertical way connected to a sliding bearing-block, on the end of the radial arm, a reciprocable carriage connected to the trammel, the filler-forming mechanism actuated by the carriage, and means to move the clutch into and out of engagement.

9. In a cigar-bunching machine, a reciprocable right-angled trammel, a carriage connected to the trarnrnel, a benching-apron, a pocket-forming yoke actuated by the carriage, a slidable frame having a tobacco-receptacle, and operatively connected to the carriage and intermittingly actuated thereby, a chute into which the sliding frame discharges, a closure in the chute opened by the sliding frame, forming-rollers in the carriage to close the pocket in the apron and form the product, and a friction and presser roller in the carriage across the apron in advance of the forming-rollers.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

I JASPER STANLEY WVIN GET.

Witnesses:

DONALD H. YosT, SPENCER D. WAREHEIM. 

